Polynuclear Silver(I) Complex with Thianthrene: Structural Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity and Interaction with Biomolecules ^†

Abstract

New silver(I) complex with thianthrene (tia), [Ag(NO₃)(tia)(H₂O)]_n, was synthesized by the reaction of AgNO₃ with an equimolar amount of tia in ethanol/dichloromethane (v/v 1:1) at room temperature, and characterized by NMR, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized complex was evaluated against the broad panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and Candida spp. This complex showed significant activity toward important human pathogens Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Candida parapsilosis with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) being 3.91 µg/mL. The interaction of [Ag(NO₃)(tia)(H₂O)]_n with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied to evaluate the binding affinity towards these biomolecules for possible insights on the mode of antimicrobial activity. The binding affinity of the investigated complex to BSA is higher than that for DNA, indicating that proteins could be more favorable binding sites for this complex in comparison to the nucleic acids.

1. Introduction

Silver(I) complexes showed a wide range of applications in medicine as effective antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents [1]. Antimicrobial properties of silver(I) complexes have been well known since the successful use of cream containing silver(I) sulfadiazine for the treatment of burn wounds [2]. The critical factor in determining the antimicrobial activity of silver(I) complexes is the type of the ligand donor atom bound to the Ag(I) ion. In this respect, in the last few decades, research has been focusing on the synthesis of silver(I) complexes with sulfur-donor ligands, including mercaptan, thioamide and thione ligands [3]. In the present contribution, the chemistry of new silver(I) complex with thianthrene (tia), [Ag(NO₃)(H₂O)(tia)]_n, is studied in solution and solid state using spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. This complex was evaluated for its antimicrobial activity against the panel of representative microorganisms, while its cytotoxicity was evaluated against normal human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5). Finally, the interaction of [Ag(NO₃)(H₂O)(tia)]_n complex with biologically important molecules, BSA and DNA, was studied by different experimental techniques.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Materials and Measurements

All chemicals were of reagent-grade quality or higher and used without further purification. The silver(I) nitrate (AgNO₃), thianthrene (tia), ethanol, dichloromethane, acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), deuterated dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO-d₆) and chloroform (CDCl₃) were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. Elemental microanalysis of the synthesized silver(I) complex for carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen were performed using a Perkin-Elmer 2400 Series II instrument (CHN). The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra were recorded at room temperature on a Varian Gemini 2000 spectrometer. The IR spectra were recorded as KBr pellets on a Perkin Elmer Spectrum 100 spectrometer over the wavenumber range of 4000–450 cm⁻¹. The UV-Vis spectra were recorded over the wavelength range of 900–200 nm on a Shimadzu UV-1800 spectrophotometer. Molar conductivities were measured at room temperature on a digital conductivity-meter Crison Multimeter MM 41. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements were performed using a potentiostat/galvanostat AutoLab PGSTAT204. The cell (5.0 mL) consisted of three electrode system, glassy carbon (GC) electrode as a working electrode, Ag/AgCl (saturated KCl) as a reference electrode and platinum wire as a counter electrode. X-ray diffraction data was collected on an Agilent Technologies SuperNova Dual diffractometer with Mo microfocus X-ray source (Kα radiation, λ_Mo = 0.71073 Å) with an Atlas detector at 150(2) K.

2.2. Synthesis of Silver(I) Complex

Silver(I) complex, [Ag(NO₃)(H₂O)(tia)]_n, was synthesized according to the modified procedure for the preparation of silver(I) complexes with phthalazine and quinazoline [4]. The solution of 1.0 mmol of the silver(I) nitrate (169.9 mg of AgNO₃) in 5.0 mL of ethanol was added slowly under stirring to the solution containing an equimolar amount of tia (216.3 mg) in 5.0 mL of dichloromethane. The reaction mixture was stirred for 3 h in dark at room temperature. The obtained solution was left at room temperature, and after several days, colorless crystals of silver(I) complex were formed. These crystals were filtered off and dried in the dark at ambient temperature. Yield: 315.3 mg (78%).

Anal. calcd for [Ag(NO₃)(tia)(H₂O)]_n = C₁₂H₁₀AgNO₄S₂ (MW = 404.21): C, 35.66; H, 2.49; N, 3.47. Found: C, 35.39; H, 2.48; N, 3.32%. ¹H NMR (200 MHz, CDCl₃): δ = 7.48 (dd, J = 3.3, 2.3 Hz, H1, H4, H5 and H8), 7.23 ppm (dd, J = 3.1, 2.4 Hz, H2, H3, H6 and H7). ¹³C NMR (50 MHz, CDCl₃): δ = 127.6 (C1a, C4a, C5a and C8a), 128.6 (C1, C4, C5 and C8), 135.6 ppm (C2, C3, C6 and C7). IR (KBr, ν, cm⁻¹): 3435s (ν(O–H)), 3042w, 2927w (ν(C_ar–H)), 1438s, 1431s (ν(C_ar=C_ar)), 1384vs (ν_as(NO₃)), 761s, 750s (γ(C_ar–H)). UV-Vis (DMSO, λ_max, nm): 259.0 (ε = 6.7^.10⁴ M⁻¹cm⁻¹). Λ_M (DMSO): 45.3 Ω⁻¹cm²mol⁻¹.

2.3. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

According to the standard broth microdilution assays, recommended by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (M07-A8) for bacteria and Standards of European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (v 7.3.1: Method for the determination of broth dilution minimum inhibitory concentrations of antifungal agents for yeasts) for Candida spp., MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) values of silver complex and corresponding ligand were determined. The tested compounds were dissolved in DMSO at concentration of 50 mg/mL, and the highest tested concentration was 200 µg/mL used on bacteria species: Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Listeria monocytogenes NCTC 11994 and Escherichia coli NCTC 9001, and 250 µg/mL used on Candida strains (C. albicans ATCC 10231 and C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019). The inoculums were 5·10⁵ colony forming units, cfu/mL, for bacteria and 1·10⁵ cfu/mL for Candida species. The MIC value was recorded as the lowest concentration that inhibited the growth after 24 h incubation at 37 °C, using the Tecan Infinite 200 PRO multiplate reader (Tecan Group Ltd., Männedorf, Switzerland).

2.4. In Vitro Cytotoxicity

Antiproliferative activity assay (MTT) with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide was tested on a human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5) using compounds with MICs of up to 50 µg/mL [5]. MRC-5 cells were plated in a 96-well flat-bottom plate at a concentration of 1·10⁴ cells per well in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 100 μg/mL streptomycin, 100 U/mL penicillin, and 10% (v/v) FBS. Cells were grown in humidified atmosphere of 95% air and 5% CO₂ at 37 °C, and after 48 h, the extent of MTT reduction was measured spectrophotometrically at 540.0 nm using a Tecan Infinite 200 PRO multiplate reader (Tecan Group Ltd., Männedorf, Switzerland). Cytotoxicity was expressed as the concentration of the compound inhibiting cell growth by 50% (IC₅₀) in comparison to control (DMSO-treated cells).

2.5. Protein Binding Study

A stock solution of BSA (bovine serum albumin) was prepared in PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) buffer. Fluorescence titration experiments were carried out by keeping the concentration of BSA constant (16 μM), while varying the concentration of silver(I) complex (0–65 μM) at ambient temperature upon excitation wavelength at 275.0 nm, at the range of 280.0–500.0 nm.

2.6. Partition Coefficient (logP)

Partition coefficient (logP) between octanol and water was determined using the flask-shaking method [6]. The synthesized complex was dissolved in DMSO and added to water/octanol system. The mixture was vortexed for 1 h at room temperature to allow partitioning. After that time, the aqueous layer was separated from the octanol layer. The concentration of complex in the two phases was determined by measuring absorbance values using previously determined calibration curves.

2.7. DNA Binding Study

The competitive binding experiments were carried out in the buffer (pH 7.4) by maintaining the ethidium bromide (EthBr) and ct-DNA concentration at 10 and 100 μM, respectively, while increasing the concentration of the complex (0–165 μM). Each sample solution was scanned in the wavelength range 525.0–800.0 nm with an excitation wavelength of 520.0 nm. Before measurement, sample solution was shaken and incubated at room temperature for 5 min. The DNA interaction of complex was additionally investigated by cyclic voltammetry using the same three electrode system described above by maintaining the complex concentration constant, while increasing the concentration of DNA (0–90 μM).

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Synthesis and Structural Characterization

Silver(I) complex, [Ag(NO₃)(H₂O)(tia)]_n, was synthesized according to the procedure presented in Figure 1. Spectroscopic (¹H and ¹³C NMR, IR and UV-Vis), electrochemical (cyclic voltammetry) and crystallographic (single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis) methods were applied for the characterization of the synthesized complex. From the obtained data, it can be concluded that in the silver(I) complex, tia acts as a bridging ligand connecting two Ag(I) ions. In the solid state, the complex has polynuclear structure, with tetrahedrally coordinated Ag(I) ion via two thianthrene sulfur atoms, one nitrate oxygen and one water oxygen atoms. The ORTEP drawing of [Ag(NO₃)(H₂O)(tia)]_n complex was also shown in Figure 1.

As revealed by NMR spectroscopy, tia ligand remains coordinated to Ag(I) ion for at least 48 h in DMSO, while the conductivity measurements of the complex in the same solvent showed very fast release of the coordinated nitrate from the coordination sphere of Ag(I) ion (vide supra) [7].

3.2. Antimicrobial Activity

While thianthrene was not affecting the growth of the tested microorganisms, [Ag(NO₃)(H₂O)(tia)]_n complex showed the highest potency against C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019 and S. aureus ATCC 25923 with MIC values of 3.91 µg/mL (

Table 1. Antimicrobial activity of silver(I) complex and the corresponding thianthrene ligand expressed as MIC (µg/mL) in comparison to their cytotoxicity against healthy human fibroblasts MRC-5 (IC₅₀, µg/mL).

Tested Organisms	[Ag(NO3)(tia)(H2O)]n	thianthrene
C. albicans ATCC 10231	7.81	>200
C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019	3.91	>200
S. aureus ATCC 25923	3.91	>250
L. monocytogenes NCTC 11994	15.62	>250
E. coli NCTC9001	15.62	>250
MRC-5 cells	4.25	>100

). Nevertheless, these values were almost the same as the IC₅₀ value against MRC-5 cells, indicating the high cytotoxicity of the complex. Considerable activity was also observed in the case of other tested microorganisms (Table 1).

3.3. BSA Binding Study

Serum albumin is a protein in the blood plasma, which plays a crucial role in the transport and metabolism of pharmacologically active compounds [8]. The affinity of [Ag(NO₃)(H₂O)(tia)]_n complex to BSA was studied using florescence quenching experiments. As can be seen from Figure 2, BSA exhibits very intensive fluorescence at 365.0 nm, with intensity significantly decreasing upon addition of the studied complex (0–65 µM). This can be the consequence of the complex binding to this biomolecule, resulting in the changes of its tertiary structure [8]. The data obtained by using Stern-Volmer and Scatchard equations (Stern–Volmer constants (K_sv), quenching rate constants (K_q), binding constants (K_A) and number of binding sites per BSA (n)) are also presented in Figure 2. The K_q value indicates that the investigated silver(I) complex shows good quenching ability of the BSA fluorescence (K_q ~10¹³ M⁻¹s⁻¹), being higher than the corresponding values of bimolecular dynamic quenchers (2·10¹⁰ M⁻¹s⁻¹).

3.4. Partition Coefficients (logP)

Lipophilicity of a compound can be connected with its cellular uptake efficiency, which is of great importance in the new drug candidates’ design [9]. Octanol–water partition coefficient (logP), which is a measure of lipophilicity, for [Ag(NO₃)(H₂O)(tia)]_n complex, is found to be 0.72, indicating its hydrophobic properties. This value is in accordance with logP values of new pharmacophores in the Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry database being in range from −0.4 to 5.6 [10].

3.5. DNA Binding Study

Mechanism of antimicrobial activity of silver(I) complexes can be related to their interaction with DNA [1]. In the present study, fluorescence spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used for investigation of DNA interaction of [Ag(NO₃)(H₂O)(tia)]_n complex. The emission spectra of EthBr-DNA system in the absence and presence of the investigated complex are presented in Figure 3, including the plot of F₀/F versus [complex] (F₀ and F are the fluorescence intensities in the absence and presence of the complex, respectively). As can be seen, addition of the silver(I) complex to the EthBr-DNA solution caused decrease in the fluorescence intensity. This can be a consequence of the complex binding to DNA, leading to the formation of a non-fluorescence EthBr-DNA-complex system [11].

From the K_sv value of 6.49·10² M⁻¹, it can be concluded that the presently investigated complex binds to DNA through the non-intercalative (electrostatic) mode. This mode of DNA interaction could be proposed from the results obtained from electrochemical measurements.

4. Conclusions

The present study confirms that the sulfur-containing ligand, thianthrene (tia), is an effective bridging ligand between two Ag(I) ions forming polynuclear [Ag(NO₃)(H₂O)(tia)]_n complex. This complex shows considerable activity against two different Candida spp. and three bacterial species, being the most active toward Staphylococcus aureus and Candida parapsilosis. BSA could transport the silver(I) complex to the infected cells, and inside the cell, this complex could exert its antimicrobial activity through interaction with DNA.